Rockley Rocket land train back in Poole for summer

AFTER a two-year break the popular Poole land train is back on track, ferrying visitors between the park and the quay.

New owners Kris and Jess Hall are breathing new life into the Rockley Rocket, with the 45-minute tour of the town an opportunity for the new PA system to be used by the conductor pointing out the sites and the history.

The land train has been a common sight in the town for the last 12 years and provides a hop-on, hop-off service as well as a town tour.

“We thought it was a terrible shame it wasn’t happening anymore,” said Kris, who with wife Jess runs the Peppermint Café in Parkstone Road and re-launched the Rocket on Saturday.

They bought the train with its three carriages around six months ago and will be running it daily until at least the end of September this year, starting again at Easter next year.

“Being new to Poole ourselves, we realised that everyone knew the quay but not everyone knows the park, and it’s beautiful. We are hoping the train will act as a conduit between the quay and Poole Park,” he said.

Part of the ticket price will go towards off-setting the carbon footprint and they aim for a carbon neutral certificate next year.

The couple came to the town from Bromsgrove and Kris was a police officer for 14 years before a career change to catering and tourism.

The Rocket can carry around 60 passengers, is accessible to disabled people and will be supporting events in the town.

The return of the land train was welcomed by Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager. “It is really good to see it back again. It has been a big attraction for Poole and it’s great to see it return,” he said.

Comments (6)

Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager. “It is really good to see it back again. It has been a big attraction for Poole and it’s great to see it return,” he said."..............

There is the proof the Council do not encourage or invest in big attractions for the benefit of the town.

Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager. “It is really good to see it back again. It has been a big attraction for Poole and it’s great to see it return,” he said."..............
There is the proof the Council do not encourage or invest in big attractions for the benefit of the town.BIGTONE

My wife Jess and I would like to thank everyone over the weekend that approached us and offered support for the return of the Land Train. The waves from the children and the smiles of parents said it all really and made us both very happy.
I appreciate some of the comments about the style of the train. They are designed to look fun and I think the Poole Land Train is just that, 'fun'.
As for walking between the Quay and the Park I totally agree, it is a lovely walk. However, many of our customers with mobility issues find this walk a little difficult and appreciate the change from taking the bus. Wheel chair users also found the open disabled facilities to be a welcome surprise and many commented that it made a trip to the park, or Quay very easy and enjoyable for them.
I would also like to point out that tourism is very important to Poole, with many individuals and businesses relying on it. The Land Train will support Poole Tourism and local business, this is a fact. It aims to raise the profile and visitors to our beautiful park and Quay. This private enterprise has cost the tax payer nothing yet will support the local economy and has created, already four new jobs in the process.
I know not everyone will find the train to their taste and any comments I receive will be acted on, after all this service is aimed as much towards tourism as it is towards the people of Poole and I hope the majority of people will use it, enjoy it and continue to offer us the support we received this weekend.
I would also add that the majority of time the train runs within 20 mph restricted zones and as such I am quite content if traffic is kept within that speed. They are restricted speed zones for good reason! The drivers, whenever possible, will always make a effort to allow traffic to pass the train and avoid any unnecessary delays. If you are delayed you have my apologies.

Once again, thank you to The Council, Poole Tourism and of course the people of Poole for your support.

Kris and Jess.

My wife Jess and I would like to thank everyone over the weekend that approached us and offered support for the return of the Land Train. The waves from the children and the smiles of parents said it all really and made us both very happy.
I appreciate some of the comments about the style of the train. They are designed to look fun and I think the Poole Land Train is just that, 'fun'.
As for walking between the Quay and the Park I totally agree, it is a lovely walk. However, many of our customers with mobility issues find this walk a little difficult and appreciate the change from taking the bus. Wheel chair users also found the open disabled facilities to be a welcome surprise and many commented that it made a trip to the park, or Quay very easy and enjoyable for them.
I would also like to point out that tourism is very important to Poole, with many individuals and businesses relying on it. The Land Train will support Poole Tourism and local business, this is a fact. It aims to raise the profile and visitors to our beautiful park and Quay. This private enterprise has cost the tax payer nothing yet will support the local economy and has created, already four new jobs in the process.
I know not everyone will find the train to their taste and any comments I receive will be acted on, after all this service is aimed as much towards tourism as it is towards the people of Poole and I hope the majority of people will use it, enjoy it and continue to offer us the support we received this weekend.
I would also add that the majority of time the train runs within 20 mph restricted zones and as such I am quite content if traffic is kept within that speed. They are restricted speed zones for good reason! The drivers, whenever possible, will always make a effort to allow traffic to pass the train and avoid any unnecessary delays. If you are delayed you have my apologies.
Once again, thank you to The Council, Poole Tourism and of course the people of Poole for your support.
Kris and Jess.Poole Land Train Tour

BIGTONE wrote:
Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager. “It is really good to see it back again. It has been a big attraction for Poole and it’s great to see it return,” he said.&quot;.........
.....

There is the proof the Council do not encourage or invest in big attractions for the benefit of the town.

Great to see the land train back in action. It's very popular with the children and also the not so mobile providing a link from Poole park to the town and quay.

[quote][p][bold]BIGTONE[/bold] wrote:
Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager. “It is really good to see it back again. It has been a big attraction for Poole and it’s great to see it return,” he said.".........
.....
There is the proof the Council do not encourage or invest in big attractions for the benefit of the town.[/p][/quote]Great to see the land train back in action. It's very popular with the children and also the not so mobile providing a link from Poole park to the town and quay.ame_thyst73